Film cartridge

ABSTRACT

An improved cartridge for a plurality of photographic film units of the self-processing type wherein the film units each include an image-recording unit releasably coupled at the leading end to a leading member which comprises elements that can be separated from the finished photographic print and constitute waste that must be disposed of. The cartridge comprises a substantially rectangular container having an exposure aperture in one surface. The cartridge is provided with a trailing and a leading end, the leading end being provided with a film unit dispensing slot for the removal of an exposed image-recording unit from the cartridge. The lower portion of the leading end of the cartridge extends beyond the portion containing the dispensing slot and is arranged to accept and retain the leading member as it is separated from the image-recording unit. The improvement comprises a pair of guide members in the sides of the cartridge extension which guide the leading members into the storage position and significantly simplify and reduce the cost of the cooperating camera construction.

United States Patent [1 1 Tone 1 Sept. 4, 1973 1 1 FILM CARTRIDGE Frederick F. Tone, Holley, NY.

[73] Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company,

Rochester, NY.

22 Filed: July 5,1972

21 Appl. No.2 268,947

[75] Inventor:

Primary Examincr-Frcd Li B'raun Attorney-William T. French et al.

[57] ABSTRACT An improved cartridge for a plurality of photographic film units of the self-processing type wherein the film units each include an image-recording unit releasably coupled at the leading end to a leading member which comprises elements that can be separated from the finished photographic print and constitute waste that must be disposed of. The cartridge comprises a substantially rectangular container having an exposure aperture in one surface. The cartridge is provided with a trailing and a leading end, the leading end being provided with a film unit dispensing slot for the removal of an exposed image-recording unit from the cartridge. The lower portion of the leading end of the cartridge extends beyond the portion containing the dispensing slot and is arranged to accept and retain the leading member as it is separated from the image-recording unit. The improvement comprises a pair of guide members in the sides of the cartridge extension which guide the leading members into the storage position and significantly simplify and reduce the cost of the cooperating camera construction.

8 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures PATENTEDSEP 4 191a 3.75BL133 mm a or 2 PATENTED SE! 4 I975 SHEEI 2 OF 2 mom FILM CARTRIDGE CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Reference is made to commonly assigned copending U.S. Patent Applications, all filed concurrently herewith,

Ser. No. 268,932 entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM UNIT;

Ser. No. 268,940 entitled FILM HANDLING IM- PROVEMENT;

Ser. No. 268,931 entitled FILM FEEDING AND GAT- ING;

Ser. No. 268,933 entitled CARTRIDGE FOR FILM UNITS;

Ser. No. 268,936 entitled TRANSLATABLE STRIP- PING AND GUIDING MECHANISM; and Ser. No. 268,935 entitled FILM PACK WITH RESILIENT WASTE HANDLING MEANS; all filed in the name of Donald M. Harvey; Ser. No. 268,939 entitled IM- PROVED .FILM CARTRIDGE filed in the name of Chester W. Michatek; and Ser. No. 268,975 entitled FILM PACK filed in the name of Chester W. Michatek.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to cartridges for photographic film units of the self-processing type, and more particularly to cartridges for film units comprising a pre-registered integral image-recording unit.

It is well known in the photographic art to supply selfprocessing photographic film units in assemblages and cartridges, often referred to as film packs. It also is known to provide such packs with means for transporting the film units from the packs in a proper sequential order. Such self-processing film units generally include a photosensitive element comprising a support having thereon at least one layer of photosensitive material, and a second element adapted to be registered with the photosensitive element for processing. A viscous processing composition is supplied to the unit at one end and is spread toward the other end by passing the unit between juxtaposed pressure-applying members that distribute the composition in a layer of predetermined thickness between the two elements. The distributed composition then permeates the layers of the unit to effect development of the photosensitive layers and the construction of an image in a mordant layer, either in the photosensitive or second element, to provide a substantially permanent and visible photograph.

The present invention is directed particularly for use with film units generally referred to as being preregistered or integral" in which the photosensitive and process elements are permanently superposed or registered prior to exposure and are maintained in superposed or registered relationship during and after processing. Such a unit includes photosensitive and second elements that are superposed prior to exposure and define a composite, permanently registered structure designed to remain substantially in the same physical form after processing. In presently known film units of this type, the second element is transparent, to permit exposure of the photosensitive materials from the top side of the unit, and the image or print-receiving layer is located either in the process element, or, preferably, in the phososensitive element, to provide a positive image that need not be stripped from the rest of the unit. Film units of this type are disclosed, for example, in commonly assigned Belgian Pat. No. 757,960.

The present invention has particular utility with preregistered and integral film units of the type disclosed in US. application Ser. No. 268,932, entitled PHOTO- GRAPHIC FILM UNIT, filed on even date herewith, wherein the image-recording portion of the unit is coupled at the leading end to a leading member which comprises elements that can be separated from the finished photographic print and constitute waste that can be disposed of.

Heretofore, cartridges for film units of the selfprocessing type have not been arranged to accept any of the waste materials generated during the processing of the film unit, or if they could, were substantially larger than would otherwise be necessary. If the cartridges do not accept the waste, it is necessary for the user to dispose of the waste elsewhere, or, as is too often the case, the waste becomes litter. If the cartridges are arranged to accept the waste, they are generally substantially thicker than would oterhwise be necessary, so that the waste portion may be stored in the rear of the cartridge behind the unused film units. This necessitates the construction of larger cameras to accept the larger cartridges and is otherwise less than satisfactory.

Similarly, cameras of the prior art which are arranged to store the waste portion of the film unit in the cartridge employ guide means within the camera which are arranged to guide the waste portion to the storage compartment of the cartridge. Such an arrangement of guides in the camera have been found to increase the complexity and cost of the camera and to complicate the loading of the cartridge in the camera. Moreover, since accurate guiding of the waste portion is a requisite to satisfactory operation and to maximizing the amount of material which may be stored in a given space, guide means entirely located within the camera must resist wear or be replaceable to assure satisfactory operation over an extended life. This, of course, complicates the construction of the camera, increasing its cost.

Accordingly, it has been found that a cartridge which is arranged to accept and store waste material from the processed film unit can incorporate at least a portion of the guide means. Such a cartridge can be made at substantially no increase in cost over a similar cartridge without the guide means and results in a saving in the cost of the camera. Moreover, such an arrangement simplifies the loading of the cartridge in the camera and, since the cartridge is intended for use with a discrete number of film units and is not reused, wear of the guide means is of little concern.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION posed side walls, a pair of edge walls, and a pair of end walls. The first side wall has an exposure aperture therethrough and a film unit exit slot is disposed in a first end wallf A cartridge extension is formed outwardly adjacent the first end wall which extension has an open surface opposite the second side wall. Guide means is provided in the cartridge extension which is arranged to engage the lateral edges of the separated elements and to guide them into the extension.

More specifically, the present invention provides a cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed self-processing film units wherein each of the film units includes an image-recording portion and elements that can be separated from the image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of. The cartridge is arranged for use in a camera having a pair of pressure applying members disposed adjacent to and transverse one end of the cartridge, with the camera having at least one guide member adjacent the pressure applying members opposite from the end of the cartridge. The cartridge comprises first and second opposed side walls, a pair of edge walls, a pair of end walls forming a generally rectangular container. The first side wall has an exposure aperture therethrough, and a film unit exit slot is disposed in a first portion of the first end wall in alignment with the nip between the pressure applying members when the cartridge is disposed within the camera. The first portion of the first end wall extends from the exit slot towards the second side wall a distance less than the distance between the exit slot and the second side wall. A cartridge extension is formed extending longitudinally outward from the first end of the generally rectangular container between the end of the first portion of the first end wall and the second side wall. The cartridge extension is arranged to extend to one side of and beyond one of the pressure applying members and has an open surface opposite the second side wall facing the pressure applying member. The cartridge extension is arranged to accept the separated elements from the image-recording portion of the film unit and is provided with guide means which cooperate with said guide member in the camera to guide the separated elements into the extension.

In a preferred embodiment, the cartridge extension is formed by a second portion of the first end wall, portions of the edge walls, and a portion of the second side wall with the guide means being disposed on the inner surface of the portions of the edge walls. The guide means have a curved surface substantially perpendicular to the edge walls and are arranged to engage the lateral edges of the separated elements of the film units as they are directed into the cartridge extension by the guide member in the camera.

The various features of novelty which characterize the present invention are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this specification. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects obtained by its use, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING In the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a cartridge according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a single film unit which the cartridge illustrated in FIG. 1 is adapted to contain;

FIG. 3 is a longitudinal section through the cartridge taken along line 33 of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 4 is a partial sectional 'view of one end of a cartridge disposed in a camera.

Referring now to the drawings, a preferred embodiment of a cartridge 10 according to the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1. The cartridge is adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed preregistered integral self-processing film units 12, shown in plan in FIG. 2, wherein each of the film units include an imagerecording portion 14 releasably coupled at the leading end 16 to a leading member 18 which comprises elements, such as processing fluid container 20, that can be separated from the processed exposed image recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of. For a more complete description of a film unit, reference is made to above noted U.S. Pat. application, Ser. No. 268,932 entitled PHOTOGRAPHIC FILM UNIT. The cartridge is formed as a generally rectangular container and comprises first and second generally rectangular opposed side walls 22 and 24, a pair of edge walls 26 and 28, and a pair of end walls, 30 and 32. The first side wall has an exposure aperture 34 therethrough for exposing a film unit when the cartridge is in a camera. An elongated transverse film unit exit slot 36 is disposed in an upper first portion 30A of the first end wall. (The relative directions used herein are only for reference purposes ahd are directed to the cartridge as illustrated in FIG. 3). The exit slot is adjacent and parallel to the first side wall 22 containing the exposure aperture 34.

The first, upper, portion 30A of the first end wall extends from the exit slot towards the second side wall 24 a distance less than the distance between the exit slot and the second side wall. The second side wall 24 has a first portion 24A substantially coextensive with the first side wall 22 and a second portion 24B extending longitudinally outward from the first portion 30A of the first end wall. A second portion 308 of the first end wall is disposed longitudinally of the cartridge outwardly from the first portion 30A and extends from the end of the second portion 24B of the second side wall towards the plane of the first side wall 22 a distance less than the distance between the second side wall and the exit slot 36. The edge walls 26 and 28 also extend outwardly from the first portion of the end wall 30A to the second portion 308 between the lower end of the first portion and the second side wall. Thus, the extended portions of the edge walls, the second portion of the second side wall 248 and the second portion of the end wall 308 form a cartridge extension outwardly adjacent the end of the generally rectangular container portion. The cartridge extension has an open upper surface, opposite from the second portion of the second side wall 24B. In the preferred embodiment, the cartridge extension has a length less than the length of the leading member 18 of the film unit and is arranged to accept the leading member after it is removed from the processed exposed image-recording portion 14 of the film unit 12.

Thus, the cartridge comprises a generally rectangular container portion with a film dispensing exit slot disposed in the leading end thereof (determined with respect to the direction of movement of the film unit after exposure). The lower portion of the leading end of the cartridge extends outwardly from the leading end of the container portion to accept and retain the leading member after it is removed from the image-recording portion of the film unit.

The present cartridge is arranged for use in a camera having a pair of pressure applying members disposed adjacent to and transverse the first end 30 of the cartridge. A portion of such a camera is illustrated in FIG. 4 and includes a pair of parallel rollers 40 and 42 whose axes are substantially parallel to the first end of the cartridge. A cartridge stop 44 may be provided which accurately positions the end of the cartridge on the camera with respect to the rollers. As shown, the nip between the rollers is substantially opposite the exit slot 36. The camera is also provided with guides 46 at each end of the rollers which guides divert the leading member 18 of the processed film unit into the cartridge extension which extends to one side of and beyond the lower pressure roller 42, whereby the separated leading members are retained and stored as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4. As disclosed in the above-identified copending applications, the exposed, processed image-recording portions of the film units are arranged to pass between the guides 46 and to exit from the camera after the leading members are separated therefrom. The camera may also include a feed member 48 that introduces the film units into the nip of the pressure rollers.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the guides 46 in the camera are arranged to terminate adjacent the lower surface of the lower pressure roller 42, superjacent the end of the cartridge extension. The improvement of the present invention comprises a pair of guide members or tracks 54 disposed on the inner surface of the portions of edge walls 26 and 28 which form a part of the cartridge extension. The guide members 54 have a curved surface extending substantially perpendicular to the inner surface of the edge walls and, when the cartridge is disposed in the cooperating camera, form an extension of the guides 46 therein. The guide members 54 are curved from the inner surface of the second side wall 24B toward the plane of the second portion 308 of the first end wall and are arranged to engage the lateral edges of the separated elements of the film units as the separated elements are discharged from the guides 46 in the camera. Thus, the guide members direct the separated elements into the storage area in the cartridge extension and change the direction of movement of the separated elements so they are moving generally parallel to the surface of the second side wall 24B so that they will not stub the wall and jam.

Accordingly, it will be seen that the present invention provides a cartridge that provides guide means for the separated members of a film unit that permits a reduction in camera size and complexity. Moreover, the loading of a cartridge of the present invention into the camera is simplified.

Moreover, the present cartridge arrangement provides guide members in a portion of the cartridge which extends to one side of and longitudinally beyond the location of the pressure applying members when the cartridge is located in a camera so that the cartridge guide members are aligned with the camera guide members. This permits the use of a locating device in the camera which directly contacts the end of the cartridge without interference with the pressure applying members. The location of the cartridge extension with respect to the pressure applying members also permits the leading member, that is separated from the image-recording portion of the film unit, to drop directly into the extension through the open upper surface without requiring the insertion of the leading member longitudinally back into the front end of the cartridge.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention.

1 claim:

1. A cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of film units, each of said film units including an imagerecording portion and elements that can be separated from the image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of, said cartridge comprising first and second generally opposed side walls, a pair of edge walls, first and second end walls, said first side wall having an exposure aperture therethrough, a film unit exit slot disposed in said first end wall, and a cartridge extension outwardly adjacent said first end wall formed by portions of said edge walls and a portion of said second side wall and having an open surface opposite the inner surface of the second side wall, and guide means in said cartridge extension arranged to engage and guide a portion of said film unit, said cartridge extension arranged to accept the elements separated from the image-recording portion of the film unit, and said guide means arranged to engage the lateral edges of said separated elements.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said guide means is curved.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cartridge extension is also formed by a portion of said first end wall, and said guide means is disposed on the inner surface of said portions of said edge walls.

4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first end wall comprises a first and a second portion, the first portion of said first end wall containing said exit slot and extending from said first side wall towards said second side wall, said first portion of said first end wall extending from said first side wall a distance less than the distance between said first side wall and said second side wall, said second portion of said first end wall being disposed at the outer end of said cartridge extension and extending from said second side wall towards the plane of said first side wall a distance less than the distance between said first side wall and said second side Wall, said guide means extending from the plane of said second side wall remote from the second portion of said first end wall to the end of said second portion of said first end wall remote from said second side wall.

5. A cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed self-processing film units wherein each of the film units includes an image-recording portion and elements that can be separated from the image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of, said cartridge arranged for use in a camera having a pair of pressure applying members, said camera having at least one guide member adjacent said pressure applying members, said cartridge comprising first and second opposed side walls, a pair of edge walls, first and second end walls forming a generally rectangular container, said cartridge arranged to fit within a camera with said first end wall disposed adjacent to and parallel with the pressure applying members, said first side wall having an exposure aperture therethrough, a

film unit exit slot disposed in a first portion of said first end wall and arranged in alignment with the nip between the pressure applying members when the cartridge is disposed within a camera, said first portion of said first end wall extending from said exit slot towards said second side wall a distance less than the distance between said exit slot and said second side wall, means forming a cartridge extension extending longitudinally outward from the first end of the generally rectangular container between the end of the first portion of said first end wall and said second side wall, said cartridge extension arranged to extend to one side of and beyond one of said pressure applying members and having an open surface opposite the second side wall facing said pressure applying member and arranged to accept the separated elements from the image-recording portion of the film unit, and guide means in said cartridge extension arranged to cooperate with said guide member in said camera to guide said separated elements into said extension.

6. The invention according to claim 5 wherein said cartridge extension is formed by a second portion of said first end wall, portions of said edge walls and a portion of said second side wall, said guide means being disposed on the inner surface of said portions of said edge walls.

7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said guide means have a surface substantially perpendicular to said edge walls arranged to engage the lateral edges of the separated elements of said film units as said elements are directed into said cartridge extension by said guide member in said camera.

8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said guide means surface is curved from the inner surface of said second side wall towards the plane of the second portion of said first end wall.

Po-mso Patent No.

Inventor(s) Frederick F. Tone Dated September a 1923 It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

' In The Claims line line Column 7,

line line line cartridge line line line line line line line 58- after "camera" insert "of a type--; 59, delete said camera having" and substitute 2, after "arranged" insert --to be--;

after "is" insert --operatively--;

4, delete "a" and substitute -such--;

12, after "extension" insert when said is operatively disposed within a camera, being--;

delete delete delete delete delete "said" and "said" and said" and the second "said and substitute --the--; substitute --the--; substitute -such-'--;

"said" and substitute --the--; substitute --such-- Signed and sealed this 9th day: of April 19m.

' (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD I-I.FLETCHER,JR. Attesting Officer C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of Patents Po-noso Patent No.

Inventor(s) Frederick F. Tone UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Se.p.tembe.r A, -l913-- It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

' In The Claims line Column 7,

line line line cartridge line line line line line line line .58, after "camera" insert "of a type--;

59, delete said camera having" and substitute 60, delete "said" and substitute --such; 66,- after *members" insert --of such ca.mera--;

4, after "is" insert --operatively--; 4, delete "a" and substitute ---such--; 12, after extension" insert when said delete delete delete delete delete "said and "said and "said" and the second "said" and "said" and substitute is operatively disposed within a camera, being--;

delete "said" and substitute -the--; after *members" insert. -of such camera-;

"the"; "the"; --such-'--;

substitute --the --such-- Signed and sealed this 9th day of April 19%;.

' (SEAL) Attest:

EDI JAKE LLFLETCHERJR. Attesting Officer C. MARSHALL DANN Commissioner of Patents 

1. A cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of film units, each of said film units including an image-recording portion and elements that can be separated from the image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of, said cartridge comprising first and second generally opposed side walls, a pair of edge walls, first and second end walls, said first side wall having an exposure aperture therethrough, a film unit exit slot disposed in said first end wall, and a cartridge extension outwardly adjacent said first end wall formed by portions of said edge walls and a portion of said second side wall and having an open surface opposite the inner surface of the second side wall, and guide means in said cartridge extension arranged to enGage and guide a portion of said film unit, said cartridge extension arranged to accept the elements separated from the imagerecording portion of the film unit, and said guide means arranged to engage the lateral edges of said separated elements.
 2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said guide means is curved.
 3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said cartridge extension is also formed by a portion of said first end wall, and said guide means is disposed on the inner surface of said portions of said edge walls.
 4. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first end wall comprises a first and a second portion, the first portion of said first end wall containing said exit slot and extending from said first side wall towards said second side wall, said first portion of said first end wall extending from said first side wall a distance less than the distance between said first side wall and said second side wall, said second portion of said first end wall being disposed at the outer end of said cartridge extension and extending from said second side wall towards the plane of said first side wall a distance less than the distance between said first side wall and said second side wall, said guide means extending from the plane of said second side wall remote from the second portion of said first end wall to the end of said second portion of said first end wall remote from said second side wall.
 5. A cartridge adapted to contain a plurality of unexposed self-processing film units wherein each of the film units includes an image-recording portion and elements that can be separated from the image-recording portion and constitute waste that must be disposed of, said cartridge arranged for use in a camera having a pair of pressure applying members, said camera having at least one guide member adjacent said pressure applying members, said cartridge comprising first and second opposed side walls, a pair of edge walls, first and second end walls forming a generally rectangular container, said cartridge arranged to fit within a camera with said first end wall disposed adjacent to and parallel with the pressure applying members, said first side wall having an exposure aperture therethrough, a film unit exit slot disposed in a first portion of said first end wall and arranged in alignment with the nip between the pressure applying members when the cartridge is disposed within a camera, said first portion of said first end wall extending from said exit slot towards said second side wall a distance less than the distance between said exit slot and said second side wall, means forming a cartridge extension extending longitudinally outward from the first end of the generally rectangular container between the end of the first portion of said first end wall and said second side wall, said cartridge extension arranged to extend to one side of and beyond one of said pressure applying members and having an open surface opposite the second side wall facing said pressure applying member and arranged to accept the separated elements from the image-recording portion of the film unit, and guide means in said cartridge extension arranged to cooperate with said guide member in said camera to guide said separated elements into said extension.
 6. The invention according to claim 5 wherein said cartridge extension is formed by a second portion of said first end wall, portions of said edge walls and a portion of said second side wall, said guide means being disposed on the inner surface of said portions of said edge walls.
 7. The invention according to claim 6 wherein said guide means have a surface substantially perpendicular to said edge walls arranged to engage the lateral edges of the separated elements of said film units as said elements are directed into said cartridge extension by said guide member in said camera.
 8. The invention according to claim 7 wherein said guide means surface is curved from the inner surface of said second side wall towards the plane of the Second portion of said first end wall. 